Snoozin'

Snoozin'

Re: Snoozin'

That's a pretty eye-catching street shot - well taken and well presented.

I am glad I am not the only one who has taken photos of people who are "not awake". I have several of such. Sometimes they make powerful statements.

Re: Snoozin'

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 11:47 pm

by rmalarz

Thanks, Minnie. I appreciate your compliment and comments. I've several more streeet shots that I am in the process of locating and then posting. --Bob

minniev wrote:That's a pretty eye-catching street shot - well taken and well presented.

I am glad I am not the only one who has taken photos of people who are "not awake". I have several of such. Sometimes they make powerful statements.

Re: Snoozin'

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 10:15 pm

by Charles Haacker

That is, to me anyway, a heartbreaker. Sure, I have no way to know if he is homeless, but that was my immediate assumption. From the state of his clothes and the fact that he is sleeping in the most uncomfortable position imaginable... The cities have long since put in things like spike strips and unneeded "armrests" on public benches (you can see one directly below his right hand) to prevent "vagrants" from stretching out. The poor ye have with ye alway. I heard a talk many years ago by a nun who was a city chaplain to the homeless. What stuck with me was her assertion that the single reason why homelessness cannot be conquered is that there is no single reason for homelessness. All of it and everyone must be taken on a case-by-case basis, and that costs money, and no one wants to spend it. There but for the grace... Wonderful picture, Bob. I could never have taken it.

Re: Snoozin'

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2017 2:43 am

by Duck

The first thing that struck me about this image was that your choice of cropping doesn't allow the poor guy to sit up straight. Poor guy passed out from the exertion

My personal philosophy is to avoid photographing the homeless at their most vulnerable. Good street photography is about finding the story and showing the emotion in a single frame. While a homeless man passed out on a bench tells an emotionally charged story it is one that is too easy. Unfortunately homelessness is too prevalent a condition and many of these people get exploited enough without having a camera lens point out their misfortunes.

I have taken photos of homeless people but it would be hard to tell from the images. I prefered to concentrate more on the individuals than their condition. I do have one image that is somewhat similar to this, though. However, in that image there is a juxtaposition between the sleeping man and all the activity happening around him. Here is the link to the image if you are interested. (Sleeping on the bench)

This by no means is a criticism on this image, just a flip of the coin. I would say, though, the poor guy needs more head room.

Re: Snoozin'

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2017 5:52 pm

by rmalarz

Interesting points. Something to keep in mind. Thanks for commenting. I do have a few more, though. I'll be posting them in time. --Bob

Duck wrote:The first thing that struck me about this image was that your choice of cropping doesn't allow the poor guy to sit up straight. Poor guy passed out from the exertion

My personal philosophy is to avoid photographing the homeless at their most vulnerable. Good street photography is about finding the story and showing the emotion in a single frame. While a homeless man passed out on a bench tells an emotionally charged story it is one that is too easy. Unfortunately homelessness is too prevalent a condition and many of these people get exploited enough without having a camera lens point out their misfortunes.

I have taken photos of homeless people but it would be hard to tell from the images. I prefered to concentrate more on the individuals than their condition. I do have one image that is somewhat similar to this, though. However, in that image there is a juxtaposition between the sleeping man and all the activity happening around him. Here is the link to the image if you are interested. (Sleeping on the bench)

This by no means is a criticism on this image, just a flip of the coin. I would say, though, the poor guy needs more head room.

Re: Snoozin'

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:55 am

by Matt Quinn

Not sure why, but this shot reminded me of Robert Capa's photo of the fallen soldier. (I had to look it up on Wikipedia to get the name and photographer.) All sorts of fodder in both photos for thoughts on poverty, war, oppression, rebellion, hopelessness, "...man's inhumanity to man...", etc. And Yeats's epitaph: "Cast a cold eye/On life, on death/ Horseman, pass by." Bob, you have really captured a sensitive and evocative moment. Thank you. Matt

Re: Snoozin'

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 4:52 am

by rmalarz

Thanks, Matt. Having taken a few courses in English Lit., I'm familiar with Yeats, and that poem. Thanks for your comments. --Bob

Re: Snoozin'

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:08 am

by St3v3M

Street photography is a subjective art. Think of the story and you will find amazing images.